New car sales accelerate again

New car sales raced ahead again last month, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed.

There were 185,778 new registrations in April – a 5.1% rise on the same month last year.

Last month’s increase took the year-so-far figure 920,366 – a 6.4% rise on January-April 2014.

April 2015 was the 38th successive month of growth in new car sales.

Last month was the best April performance for 10 years.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Today’s figures highlight the current strength of consumer confidence, even at a time of such political uncertainty.

“We are confident that the UK’s new car market – so symbolic of economic mood – will continue to thrive, but long-term success will depend largely on economic and political stability in the months and years ahead.

“Whatever the outcome of today’s election, the next government must act quickly to uphold economic certainty and reassure consumers and markets.”